Open AccessAblation of typical atrial flutter using mini electrode measurements for maximum voltage‐guided ablation: A randomized, controlled trial
Author(s) -
Rowe Matthew K.,
Claughton Andrew,
Davis Jason,
Yee Lauren,
Kaye Gerald C.,
Dauber Kieran,
Hill John,
Gould Paul A.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
journal of arrhythmia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.463
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 1883-2148
pISSN - 1880-4276
DOI - 10.1002/joa3.12665
Subject(s) - medicine , ablation , atrial flutter , interquartile range , catheter ablation , nuclear medicine , catheter , atrial fibrillation , fluoroscopy , randomized controlled trial , cardiology , surgery
Background Novel ablation catheters with mini electrode (ME) sensing have become available but their utility is unclear. We investigated whether ablation of the cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) for atrial flutter (AFL) would be improved using ME signals. Methods Sixty‐one patients (76% male, 63 ± 10 years) with CTI‐dependent AFL underwent ablation using a maximum voltage‐guided approach, randomized to either standard 8 mm non‐irrigated catheter with bipolar signals or IntellaTip MiFi catheter using ME signals alone. Results Acute bidirectional block was achieved in 97%. Mean follow‐up was 16.7 ± 10 months. The median number of ablation lesions was 13 in both groups (range 3–62 vs. 1–43, p = .85). No significant differences were observed in AFL recurrences (17% vs. 11%, p = .7), median procedure durations (97 min [interquartile range (IQR), 71–121] vs. 87 min [IQR, 72–107], p = .55) or fluoroscopy times (31 min [IQR, 21–52] vs. 38 min [IQR, 25–70], p = .56). Amplitudes of ME signals were on average 160% greater than blinded bipolar signals. In 23.7% of lesions where bipolar signals were difficult to interpret, 13.6% showed a clear ME signal. Conclusions There was no difference in the effectiveness of CTI ablation guided by ME signals, compared with using bipolar signals from a standard 8 mm ablation catheter. While ME signal amplitudes were larger and sometimes present when the bipolar signal was unclear, this did not improve procedural characteristics or outcomes. The results suggest future research should focus on lesion integrity rather than signal sensing.